‘A Stitch in Time Saves Nine’ is a very relevant and useful proverb in the present day context.
The world is smarting under the heavy oil price hike and an unprecedented food crisis. Even people of super powers like US have turned to frugal ways to bail out themselves from the present day crisis. Hence, the proverb is currently very relevant.
The proverb connotes a very simple meaning, ‘we have to take immediate attention to solve a problem and thereby stave of many subsequent problems’. To put it in simple words, when a cloth, say a sari or a shirt or a pant or a dhoti is accidentally torn away, immediately it can be stitched and used and thereby avoid further damage to the cloth But most of us simply throw it away, stop wearing it subsequently. The people who are affluent may not like the idea of wearing the stitched cloth and even consider it with askance. But it is not the case with the majority of the people, who are considered middle class, living in the countries like India and China. Similarly if a costly shoe or a chappal is damaged slightly, people may not like to throw it away and be willing to mend them. However, they will try to get it mended rather in a polished way without causing any embarrassment to them.
Thus we can see stitching a torn cloth or mending a damaged shoe or chappal will not only result in their durability get elongated but also result in the postponement of purchasing a new cloth or shoe or chappal. Thereby an additional spending of money in purchasing a new cloth or shoe or chappal is avoided or postponed. Thus the amount saved, may be used for some other newer projects or even for the purpose of charity. Thus the ‘have-nots’ are benefited from the amount saved.
Viewed from another angle, the proverb has far reaching manifestations. We have got to be vigilant in our personal as well as in our public life and in our day to day activities. Take the case of rearing one’s children. We have to constantly watch their progress in their growth as well as their studies. If they reveal any significant symptom of change in their health or difficulty in studies, it is the duty of the parents immediately to attend them, by providing proper medical care and attention, thereby avoiding any major illness or set back in their studies.
Similarly, the proverb has much to offer in the case of day to day administration of a government. Whether it be inflation or price rise, it is up to the government to take immediate remedial steps once it gets a feedback to that effect. The army has got to be ever vigilant in averting any threat from the enemy, even in the form a single incident of incursion or infiltration in the border. If the government or the army fails to react immediately, it may lead to far reaching consequences in the economy or in the defense of a country that may lead to a holocaust.
Thus the proverb, ‘a Stitch in Time, Saves Nine’ is an eye-opener in the modern day context, prompting us to be more vigilant in our private as well as public life.In the case of a Government, the proverb is a stimulant, keeping the authorities concerned, who are at the helm of affairs, to be ever vigilant and resourceful.
